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June 10, 2008

Bonnie-Jill Laflin: From cheerleader to Lakers scout

KRT photo / Giulio Marcocchi
Bonnie-Jill Laflin

What, exactly, are the qualifications of an NBA scout? That's the question that Canada's National Post's Barbara Matson asks when relating the story of Bonnie-Jill Laflin, a 32-year-old Lakers scout whose previous jobs have been NFL cheerleader, model, actress and sports broadcaster. After a couple of years doing TV work for the Lakers, colorful team owner Jerry Buss promoted Laflin to scout two years ago, and then to assistant GM of the Lakers' Developmental League team, the D-Fenders. Buss and his daughter, executive VP, business operations Jeannie Buss, wanted to try something different and sent Laflin out to scout college players. Some of those players might have recognized Laflin from the photo shots she's done for Maxim and FHM magazines, among others.

"Every time I go to a game it's just more and more that I learn from the different scouts around me, and it's nice because they've kind of taken me under their wing. The thing that Jeannie likes is there's something I'll pick up that maybe a male won't pick up, like the chemistry between a player and a coach or his teammates. Little things that I think make a big difference. You don't want a kid on your team that's a nut case. Stuff like that makes me a little more unique when I scout."

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 12:58 PM to Celtics | Permalink

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